Verkhovna Rada declares Russia an "aggressor state"

Ukraine's Parliament Verkhovna Rada has adopted a statement branding Russia an "aggressor state," a move that deputies hope will pave the way for punishment under international law.

Radical Party leader Oleh Lyashko, a member of the governing coalition, said, "Legal recognition as an aggressor state entails consequences" under the UN Charter and UN resolutions.

The Verkhovna Rada also voted on January 27 to define separatist self-styled Donetsk and Luhansk "people's republics" as "terrorist organizations," and to appeal to the international community for additional nonlethal military aid and stronger sanctions against Russia.

Ukraine also urged the West to put more pressure on Russia “through the introduction of new sectoral restrictions and sanctions in order to stop the Russian aggression and force the Russian leadership to fully implement the Minsk agreements; end the illegal occupation of the Crimea; release all the hostages and people illegally detained on the Russian territory”, according to RIA Novosti.